If you're a birder, you'll know what a life list is. It's basically a list of all the bird species one has observed and positively ID'd in one's lifetime. This blog is a record of my "critter" life list (mostly of birds), including photos I've taken over the years, some of the actual lifer if I was lucky enough to get the shot. Don't expect National Geographic quality stuff here, just the work of an amateur photog who loves to trudge out into nature.

Monday, October 26, 2015

American Goldfinch (Carduelis tritis)


10/21/02 Female, Donner State Memorial Park, Truckee, Nevada County, CA 


5/18/01 Eaton Canyon Trail, San Gabriel Mountains, Los Angeles County, CA


3/3/02 Not a great shot, but at least I got it before the little fellow flitted off. 
Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, San Bernardino County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: American Goldfinch

SPECIES: Carduelis tritis

FAMILY: Fringillidae (Finches)

LIFE LIST DATE5/18/2001

LOCATION: Eaton Canyon Trail, San Gabriel Mountains, Los Angeles County, CA

From Kaufman Focus Guide: Birds of North America:

BEHAVIOR/HABITAT: Lively, colorful, common around weedy fields, woodland edges, suburbs. Gathers in flocks in winter, often visiting bird feeders.

IDENTIFYING MARKS: 5"; Summer male bright yellow with black wings, tail and forehead. Summer female duller yellow-green. Winter birds vary from yellowish brown to gray; note bold wing bars (white or buff) on black wings, white tail spots. 

VOICE: Song is jumbled twittering, with variable pattern. Call notes are clear thin notes. In bounding, dipping flight, a cheery potato-chip.

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